Executive Director | elie@uahillel.org
Elie is thrilled to lead the UArizona Hillel and is incredibly excited for the opportunities that lie ahead.
A native of Chicago, with stops along the way in Los Angeles and Houston, he is excited to land in Tucson. He holds a JD from The University of Alabama and an MBA from the University of Missouri, where he also taught a Business Law seminar for undergraduate students. Elie has practiced human resources and employment law, served as a multinational firm's compliance director, and spent several years consulting for small businesses, healthcare providers, and non-profit organizations. For the last three years, he has taught high school classes in both Jewish and public schools, including AP Literature, World History, and a few fun ones, like “The History of Western Music.”
Elie is passionate about working with students and seeks to help them find their Jewish identity in an ever-changing campus landscape. He looks forward to engaging with and educating students while opening up new avenues and opportunities for Hillel’s growth.
Equally passionate about college football, MMA, opera, and Victorian literature, you probably won’t figure him out, but you’re welcome to try. Please reach out and say hello, as he would love to get to know you.
Assistant Director | ad@uahillel.org
Contact Kelsey for all things related to student life, student leadership, travel, and programming.
Kelsey relocated to Tucson in summer of 2022 after spending the previous seven years in New Orleans, Louisiana. While in New Orleans, she studied natural disasters, worked with students at Tulane, ate a lot of southern food, and took in a tremendous amount of experimental theater. She was deeply involved in the New Orleans Jewish community, including as an NCJW fellow, religious school teacher, and JPride NOLA committee member. Prior to her time in New Orleans, she attended Mount Holyoke College where she completed her degree in Middle Eastern Studies and lived abroad in Israel for 6 months. Kelsey is extremely excited to be working with students across campus to create interesting and memorable Jewish experiences. Kelsey additionally sits on the board of the University Religious Council as treasurer. In her spare time, Kelsey enjoys reading (especially science fiction), going hiking, and playing video games.
Springboard Ezra Fellow | sb@uahillel.org
Contact Krista for anything related to service projects, Jewish history, or just to get a cup of coffee or tea!
Meet Krista Caraway! Krista is our Ezra Springboard Fellow. Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Krista has a strong passion for Judaism, art, history and poetry. She received a bachelor of arts from Kent State University in Global History with a focus in LGBTQ+ and Jewish history during the post World War Two Era, with minors in: World Literature and Cultures, Italian Studies, Park Management, and Art History. When Krista is not at Hillel (or any other Jewish space), she can be found writing poetry, thrifting, or playing with her three rescue cats (Marceline the Vampire Queen, Sir Challah, and Pepper).
Springboard Innovation Fellow | michael@uahillel.org
Contact Michael for all things related to programming, Greek life, athletics and more. Or just meet him for coffee and tea anytime!
Originally from Portland, Oregon, Michael Kahn is returning to Tucson after a two year hiatus. Michael graduated from the University of Arizona in 2022 with a degree in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law (PPEL) and Judaic Studies. He has spent the past two years with the Jewish Federation of Colorado, JEWISHColorado, running High School Jewish Programming. As a student at the University of Arizona, Michael was involved in Hillel as a member of the Shabbat Team and served as the Jewish National Fund's Campus Representative in 2019-20. Michael brings an extensive background in Jewish experiences and education, and is excited to engage with a broad spectrum of students! When he is not at Hillel you can find Michael on a golf course, playing basketball at the campus rec center, or at home watching comedy movies with his cat, Blaze.
Campus Development and Marketing Manager | mschaeffer@hillel.org
Maddie is the Marketing and Development Manager on the University of Arizona Hillel team. Maddie works with the fundraising team to build and execute grassroots campaigns for Berkeley, Stanford, and the University of Arizona Hillel. Before coming to Hillel International, Maddie spent three years as the Development Associate for Oregon Hillel. Originally from the East Coast, Maddie now holds a passion for exploring the West Coast and all the outdoor adventures it has to offer. Maddie is so excited to be a part of this team and do some great work.